Leafs, Hawks win while Border Bruins doubled up by Creston
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Three players had two points each, including game star Justin Podgorenko, to power the Nelson Leafs to a 4-1 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League victory over the host Rockets Friday night in Golden.
Podgorenko’s fifth goal of the season proved to be winner as Nelson won its 11th game in 13 attempts.
David Sanchez and defenceman Brendan Makay also registered a pair of points in the contest.
The game was tied after one period before the Leafs scored twice in the second, the latter marker coming as Makay converted on the power play.
Ryan Piva, also scoring with the man advantage, completed the scoring in the third period.
Ryley Bast scored the lone goal for Golden.
Nelson outshot the Rockets 47-23 in the game.
Josh Williams registered his eighth win of the season in goal.
Calum Humbel took the loss in goal for the Rockets.
Nelson completes its five-game road trip Saturday with a contest against the Columbia Valley Rockies in Invermere.
The Leafs, 3-0-1 on the trip, hold a three-point lead over Beaver Valley Nitehawks in Murdoch Division standings.
The Hawks edged Castlegar Rebels 5-3 Friday in the Sunflower City.
Jaxen Gemmell scored the winner two minutes into the third, snapping a 3-3 tie, to spark Beaver Valley to the Murdoch Division victory.
Aiden Jenner scored twice for Beaver Valley with Sam Swanson and Evan Gorman adding singles.
Vince Bitonti, Brady Daniels and Shawn Campbell replied for Castlegar.
Twice the Rebels held one-goal leads early in the game.
In Creston, Grand Forks was doubled 6-3 by the Thunder Cats.
Creston scored four times in the third period, two goals coming in less than a minute early in the frame, to spark the Cats past the Border Bruins.
Liam Plunkett led the Cats with four points.
Hunter Harrison scored twice for Grand Forks with Jordan Robertson adding a single.
Grand Forks was outshot 42-29 in the contest.
Grand Forks hosts Castlegar Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Jack Goddard Arena while Beaver Valley hosts Creston.
